JAMB 2024 English Language · Question 65

Adeola lives a stone's throw away from the church.

Question

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentences. Adeola lives a stone's throw away from the church.

  1. A.He lives where stones are thrown to the church
  2. B.He lives a long distance from the church
  3. C.He lives not too close to the church
  4. D.He lives very close to the church

Answer: D. He lives very close to the church

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The sentence uses the idiom "a stone's throw away." You are asked to choose the option that best explains what the sentence means.

Explain the concept: An idiom's meaning is not the literal meaning of its words. "A stone's throw (away)" means a very short distance. The picture behind it is that you could throw a stone and it would land there, so the place is very near.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Option A: "He lives where stones are thrown to the church." This takes the idiom literally and invents a place where stones are thrown. It is wrong.
  2. Option B: "He lives a long distance from the church." This is the opposite of the idiom's meaning. It is wrong.
  3. Option C: "He lives not too close to the church." This suggests a moderate distance, but the idiom means very close. It is wrong.
  4. Option D: "He lives very close to the church." This matches the meaning of the idiom exactly. It is correct.

Answer: Adeola lives very close to the church.

Exam tip: In idiom questions, don't translate the words literally. Ask what the picture suggests. "A stone's throw" means close, just as "a long way off" means far. Eliminate options that are literal or that say the opposite, and you will usually be left with the right answer.

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